About Something Better

Notes from the field on building good, sustainable systems in digital health

What This Is

Something Better is an experiment in owned publishing. No algorithms, no character limits, no pressure to post daily. Just essays where I try to make sense of what is actually happening in our industry.

The focus is on depth over frequency, and clarity over cleverness. Each piece stands alone, exploring ideas that need more space than a tweet but less formality than a book.

Who I Am

I'm David Cooper — a clinical psychologist (PsyD) trained in neuropsychology with experience across hospitals, outpatient, and day-rehab settings. Over the years I've worn pretty much every hat in this space: Clinician, Product Strategist, and Business Developer.

I've helped major health systems define and implement digital health strategies, developed applications for U.S. Service Members and Veterans, and built digital solutions for PhRMA and nonprofit organizations. Most recently I led global mental health strategy at Teladoc, and I now serve as Executive Director of Therapists in Tech — the largest community of clinical practitioners working in digital mental health.

I don't just research these problems; I'm in the trenches building the solutions. My "unfair advantage" is that I can swap lenses—I can look at a tool and tell you why it's a brilliant business move but a clinical disaster (or vice versa). I also consult on digital health products and strategy — reach out if you're working on something worth talking about.

Let's be honest: the current playbook for digital health is broken.

• Enough with the Rocket Ships: We don't need another VC-backed unicorn that burns $100M to acquire customers it can't keep. We need sustainable businesses that solve real problems and actually make money.
• Integration is Everything: The era of "there's an app for that" is over. Payers are tired. Employers are tired. We need tools that fit into people's lives, not more fragmentation.
• Real Utility: I love AI, but we need to stop chasing shiny objects and start building boring, effective systems that help people.

What to Expect

Essays where I try to clear my head and stress-test my assumptions. You'll get writing on the messy reality of healthcare margins, the inevitability of consolidation, and how to build products that respect the patient, the provider, and the bottom line. It won't always be polished, but it will always be honest.

Not all pieces will be perfect. Some ideas will age poorly. That's part of the process. Better to share imperfect ideas than wonder in silence.

How to Stay Connected

The best way to follow along is via the email newsletter. I'll send updates when there's something worth your time—no spam, no daily noise.

You can also subscribe via RSS if you prefer a feed reader.

Questions? Get in touch.